Backyard Therapy.

I’d like to preface this by saying I’m a little bit weird. I’m not sure why I feel the need to say this since once you read the post it’ll be absolutely clear.

I’ll get straight to the point.  When I smell things like honeysuckle and fresh-cut grass it’s like my insides take a deep breath. I don’t how to describe it any other way. My shoulders relax, my heart rate slows (even if just for a moment), and I might even start to smile. I used to think this was normal. Now I’m not so sure.

But it’s true. There’s something about nature that really soothes me.  You might remember when I was grieving for my grandfather I headed for the woods.  Like Thoreau, nature does me good.

I’m pretty sure I was meant to be a farmer. I love working in the sun and the feeling of dirt in my fingers. Earthworms get me excited. Enough said.

I’m pretty sure I was not meant to be an animal farmer. While I do love cows and think they look very docile, I do NOT like smelling them.  Nor do I like cleaning up poop. Ask me how I know. I’ll give you a hint: I have four children.

However, the vision of neatly planted rows of growing corn or sprouting beans makes me smile. I’ve been known to eat a green bean straight from the vine or open up some peas and throw them back as if I were a college student taking my first shot. Peas on the rocks.  Green beans shaken not stirred. Cherry tomatoes straight up.  These are my forms of intoxication. Yep, pretty sure I was meant to grow food.  And so I do. In my own little way, in my own little corner of the world.